Finding Peace…
After spending nearly two hours trying to come up with a topic for this week I was ready to give up and call it a day. I was considering sending the boss an email and letting her know that my brain was on overload and that I just couldn't write this week. The prior week had delivered a few surprises, a lot of work and a flare up of fall allergies that left me feeling out of sorts and a bit unsettled. As I prepared to give up I scrolled down through my Facebook newsfeed and ...

Celebrating The Journey….
Twenty five years ago today I went to work and then to my boyfriend David’s house to fix dinner and spend the evening with him; something we had done several times a week for five months. We spent a lot of evenings cooking dinner together, hanging out in his basement shooting pool or sitting outside on the back patio watching the wildlife and enjoying each other’s company. Our lives were relatively simple and we liked it that way. As I stood at the stove stirring a pot ...

Lessons from a Squirrel…
Sitting down to write this week there is heaviness in the air with a fine misty rain falling from the sky. The first signs of fall have arrived along with a cool crispness in the morning air. I absolutely love this time of year. I find myself spending a few extra minutes outside on the playground with my preschoolers, taking the long way back through the memory garden to our classroom pointing out the new colors of fall on the trees. Another sign that fall is upon us is ...

Blending Families, Making Memories and Finding Purpose
This week my husband and I traveled to a small lakeside community in Ohio to celebrate his brother’s wedding. We had heard so much about the Huron, Ohio community and the small town charm but wasn't sure what to expect. Initially our plan was to stay in a local hotel and hopefully spend time with extended family at some point during the weekend. After receiving an email inviting us to share a lake house together we cancelled our ...

My Little Hero….
December 6, 2010 was just an ordinary day for me; it was a Friday. I woke that morning, muddled through my normal weekday routine which included checking Facebook and email. I noticed a friend had posted a prayer request for her little three year old granddaughter Sophie. She had been taken to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. As I whispered a little prayer I was sure it was something simple; after all she was three and in perfect health. By the end of the day the news ...

Put the Ugly Words Away…
This past week I read an online news article about an animal rescue operation who successfully rescued 1,000 chickens from slaughter. This rescue operation had secured a flight, yes a flight, for said chickens and would be flying them across country to their new forever home where they would roam free and live out the remainder of their days in New York hopping on hay bales and frolicking in the sunshine. The chickens, all hens, were part of an egg producing farm and ...

Allowing our Children to Grow Up….
Two years ago this week I sat down in front of my computer with my eyes so full of tears I could barely see and an ache in my heart so deep I thought I could barely stand it. I had just taken my daughter to college for the first time. This week my girl loaded up her car kissed me good-bye and set out to move herself and most of her things to college by herself. I followed the next day with a few boxes she couldn't fit in her car, an envelope with some spending ...

Marriage and Friendship
I am a simple girl. My husband appreciates that I am not a big shopper. I shop when necessary but I do not make shopping a hobby or something to do just to pass time and spend money. I have never been a fan of clothes shopping and my modest relatively plain Jane wardrobe is evidence of that. In the past 25 years of life with my husband we have always enjoyed the simple things in life. When we were dating we spent most of our time enjoying good food, playing pool in his ...

Be the Inspiration…..
“I am thankful for Karla who shared a personal story and gave me a resource that changed my life for the better.” “I am thankful for Karla Robey and her generosity of spirit.” These two quotes were part of a writing assignment of sorts during church recently. The pastor had spoken about the importance of handwriting letters to show your appreciation to others or just to stay in touch. Taking time to put pen to paper lets the recipient know that you care enough to stop long ...

New School Year
Thoughts for the New School Year…and Beyond
It’s Sunday afternoon and I have just returned from taking my son for his last week of summer camp. Next summer he will be too old to attend resident camp but has high hopes of becoming a junior counselor. For us, school starts in one week so this last week is a bit bittersweet for him; for all of us. The summer has been busy but one of a less structured schedule for him. While his dad and I work during the day he has been able to ...